THE CIMB CLASSIC

Oleh: Albright

CIMB Classic is a 72-hole stroke play event combining players from three official sanctioning bodies – the PGA TOUR, the Asian Tour and the Professional Golf Association of Malaysia (PGAM).

The tournament brings together top players from the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup standing, top players from the Asian Tour order of Merit and top players from Malaysia.

Played in the fall, the event debuted in 2010 and moved to the West Course of the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club in 2013. The first three editions were played at The Mines Resort & Golf Club in Mines Wellness City.

It is an official money event on the Asian Tour, but was an unofficial money event on the PGA Tour through 2012.

Beginning in October 2013, it gained official status on the PGA Tour and the field was increased to 78 players.

FedExCup points are earned by those making the cut, the winner earns a trip to the Masters and the purse is US$7 million.

Year 2010

The first CIMB Asia Pacific Classic match was played at the MINES Resort & Golf Club in Malaysia on October 28th – October 31st featuring an international field of 40 players competing for a US$6 million purse, with the winner taking home US$1,080,000. This was also the first tournament sanctioned by the PGA TOUR in Southeast Asia in tandem with the Asian Tour and the Professional Golf Association of Malaysia (PGAM).

The wind and rain ensured a tough challenge throughout the tournament however, despite these hurdles, Ben Crane stood triumphant in the inaugural match overtaking Martin Laird's 16-under lead and claiming a 1-stroke victory over Brian Davis.

.Ben Crane posing with his trophy on the 18th green

Year 2011

The MINES Resort & Golf Club was the venue for the 2011 CIMB Classic held from October 27-30. Despite strong winds and occasional showers, the event witnessed electrifying performances from 48 international and local golf superstars. 

Bo Van Pelt outlasted his opponents and earned the victory in his first start at the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic Malaysia by six strokes securing 

US$1.3 million in unofficial money. He was followed closely by Jeff Overton who won US$550,000 for his runner-up performance. 1 stroke under Overton, Fredrik Jacobson was in third place making this his fourth top-10 of the season. 

In 2010, Ben Crane won the inaugural CIMB Asia Pacific Classic with rounds of 67-64-66-69. In 2011, he had rounds of 69-68-68- 69 to tie for 20th.

Bo Van Pelt proudly holding his trophy

Year 2012

In year 2012, Nick Watney came from four strokes off the lead to shoot a final-round, course-record and personal best 61 to win the 2012 CIMB Classic in his first-ever appearance at the event.

Watney's lowest career round on the PGA TOUR is a 62 during the third round of the 2011 AT&T National where he shot 27 on the back nine.

His best final-round score on the PGA TOUR is a 63 at the final round of the 2011 Farmers Insurance Open.

The four-round total of 262 is one off the tournament record set by Bo Van Pelt in 2011. 

At 31 years, 6 months and 3 days, Nick Watney is the youngest player to win the CIMB Classic with US$1,300,000. 

The third American that won the CIMB Classic, Nick Watney.

Year 2013

Ryan Moore and Gary Woodland finished the fourth round tied at 274, but darkness forced them to return Monday morning for a sudden death playoff, the first in the tournament’s history. 

Starting on the par 5 18th hole for the playoff, Moore hit an 8-iron to 3-feet for his third shot. After Gary Woodland’s chip from just off the green came up short, Moore made his birdie putt to secure his third PGA TOUR victory and claimed the US$1,260,000.

At 30 years, 10 months and 21 days, Moore is the youngest winner in the history of the event and the fourth consecutive winner in his 30s at the CIMB Classic joining Ben Crane, Bo Van Pelt and Nick Watney. 

Ryan Moore with his trophy on the 18th green of Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.

Year 2014

For the second straight year, American Ryan Moore defeated fellow countryman Gary Woodland to win the CIMB Classic. While he needed a playoff to achieve victory in 2013, he had a comfortable winning margin of three strokes in 2014, finishing at 17-under 271. 

In hot and humid conditions on a wet golf course, Moore played a stellar final round, posting a 5-under-par 67, matching Woodland’s score on the final day. 

With the win, Moore became the first player in tournament history to defend his title at the CIMB Classic, and the first player to successfully defend a title on the PGA TOUR since Tiger Woods at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard in 2013. 

Despite the three-shot win, Moore had to fight off several challengers during the final round including American Kevin Na and Spaniard Sergio Garcia. Following a bogey on the par-4 16th, Na drew within one of his lead. But he was able to bounce back on the very next hole with a birdie when he hit his approach shot to one foot; Na double-bogeyed the same hole and fell four strokes back.

Defending champion Ryan Moore at the 18th fairway of KLGCC.

Year 2015

This year, Justin Thomas entered the final round tied with Brendan Steele at the top of the leaderboard and walked away with a one-shot win over Adam Scott after a six under 66 on Sunday November the 1^st 2015.

Thomas becomes the youngest champion of the CIMB Classic at the age of 22 years, 6 months, 3 days.

After a double bogey at the par four, 14^th Thomas went birdie-birdie-birdie-par to close out the tournament and claimed his US$1.26 million.

Thomas etched his name in the CIMB Classic History book with a new tournament record, in relation to par, of 26 under. 

Justin Thomas at the 18th tee box.

The CIMB Classic telecast reaches over 945 million households in 225 countries and territories translated in 32 languages outside the United States. The Malaysia TV schedule is on Astro Golf Channel.

The US PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem has hinted that the CIMB Classic may continue to be part of their calendar beyond 2016.

The purpose for this event is to promote golf to Malaysia and Asean Region. Furthermore, it can also make a huge impact in Malaysian tourism and also mthe local Malaysian corporate companies such as CIMB as it is the main sponsor for the prestigious event.

Malaysia also have a few world class standard golf course such as Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club and The Mines Resort which they have the potential to host many more prestigious golf events.